Ironing machine



Sept. 6, 1938. s. A. SCHETTLER IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1937 7 Shets-Sheet l AWE/v70? and. 5m

IRONING' MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1932 7-Sheets-Sheet 2 IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 6, 1 938.- s. A: s'cHE'rTLER v 2,129,152

mourns MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 19:57 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ava/70H w 4 5m,

Sept. 6, 1938. a. A. SCHETTLER IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1937,

7 Shets-Sheet 5 Sept. 6, 1938. e. A. SCHETTLER 5 IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES IRONING MACHINE Gustav A. Schettler, Leeds, England, assignor to The Turner Tanning Machinery Company, Peabody, Mass., a corporation of Maine Application February 16, 1937, Serial No. 126,016

In Great Britain March 6, 1936 v 23 Claims;

ill

of the tool, whereby efficiency of the tool is practically doubled. It is a further object of the invention so to operate a tool in a construction of the kind indicated that the work piece, will not be displaced through engagement of the tool with the edge of the Work piece during travel of the tool from the edge toward the central portion thereof. Further objects of the inven tion are to provide not only for automatic operation of the tool inits. movements back and forth in treatment of the workpiece but for intervention by the operator at any desired point in the travel of the tool so that any given portion of a work piece may be repeatedly treated by back and forth movements of the tool, and tofprovide for such control of the tool as to obviate any danger of damage, to the work piece by the tool.

To these ends, and in accordance with an important feature of the invention, there is provided in the illustrated machine, in association with means for operating a tool alternately in opposite'directions over a work piece for treat- 35 ment thereof, means for causing relative separating movement of a work support and the tool at each end of the path of movement of the tool and for maintaining such separated condition of tool and work support for an interval during movement of the tool in a reverse direction so that, upon relative approaching movement of the tool and work support, the tool again contacts the work piece either beyond or in overlapping relation to the margin of the work piece to continue the treatment of the work piece with the tool traveling in said reverse direction, whereby there is obviated any possibility of displacing the work piece by engagement of the tool with the edge ofthe work piece while the tool is traveling toward the center of the work piece. Conveniently the tool is carried by a carriage arranged to be moved by suitable means along'a guideway upon which there are provided stop members to control the moving means of the carriage and to effect reverse movement thereof. In a preferred construction, the carriage also carries means for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the carriage and to the work support. Conveniently,

trip members .are provided on the guideway to relation to the reversing movement ofthe carriage at each endof the guideway, so that the tool may be carried over the margin of the work piece on the reverse movement of the carriage. In this manner the operation of the tool is effective upon movement thereof both away from and toward the center of the work piece without turning up or otherwise displacing the edge of the work piece during movement of the tool toward the center of thefwork piece.

In order that any given portion of a work piece may berepeatedly treated when it is desired to do so as, for instance in ironing operations, the illustrated machine is provided with a manually operable member forcontrolling the moving means for the carriage so that it may be stopped and reversed to effect short strokes of an ironing tool back and forth at the will of the operator. For this purpose, the moving means for the carriage comprises two'shafts arranged to be driven in opposite directions and each carrying a clutch under control of a manually operable member so that on proper manipulation of the manually operable member either shaft may be selected to drive the carriage, it being understood that means is provided at each end of the carriage guideway for automatically shifting the driving means from one clutch shaft to the other. 7

Conveniently the means for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to its carriage comprises a power driven shaft having associated therewith a clutch and a stop disk having two oppositely placed notches ,in its periphery together with means for effecting clutching of the shaft to a source of power and release of the shaft and looking of the latter after a half revolution whereby the tool is moved either up or down its full distance and then is held in that position .until the shaft is again revolved through a half revolution.

As'shown trip members are provided on the guidei way for effecting the operation of the clutch and disk members whereby the tool is lifted at the end of the path of travel of the carriage and again lowered after a predetermined intervalwhereby,

as already stated, the tool is set down on the carriage and tool with respect to the work, there is provided a manually operable member for controlling the clutch on the shaft which raises and lowers the tool.

Since it may be desirable to utilize the illustrated machine in pressing operations upon pieces of work with a tool in the form of a pressing iron, there is provided an additional stop member located about the middle of the guideway for the carriage and adapted to be rendered operable by the operator to stop the carriage at the middle'of the machine. With the carriage stoppedin the position described, the iron may be raised or lowered through control of the lifting and lowering means for the iron by a treadle member so that the operators hands are left free to manipulate the piece of work. Preferably means is also provided for enabling the operator to exert greater pressure on a given work piece through the work support than is normally required during ironing operations by the machine. Conveniently, the work support is provided with toggle mechanism adapted to be operated by a treadle so that relatively heavy pressure may be exerted upon a work piece on the work support by a hot iron held at a lowered position on the carriage. By this combination of mechanisms in one machine, it is possible to iron a piece of work and also to subject any given portion thereof to substantial pressure by a hot iron, thus effecting not only a smoothing or ironing of the surface of the leather but also a substantial condensation of the fibers thereof.

While the work piece may be manipulated by handto secure treatment of different portions thereof during reciprocation of a tool back and forth in a predetermined path, means is conveniently provided for moving the work piece step by step between the reciprocations of the tool, the length of the step being somewhat less than the width of the tool so that the paths of the tool substantially overlap each other to insure treatment of all portions of the work piece. In the illustrated construction, the work piece moving means comprises an endless belt arranged to be moved step by step by power means comprising a motor connected to drive the belt or the belt may be driven through a ratchet and pawl mechanism operated by a foot treadle.

These and other important features of the invention and novel combinations of parts will now be described in detail in the specification and then pointed out more particularly in the appended claims.

'In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly in section of the machine with the iron in the operative position;

Fig. 3' is an end elevation of the front part of the machine with the iron lifted; V

Fig. 4 shows in sectional end elevation a part of the clutch mechanism for raising and lowering the iron;

Fig. 5 is a front view partly in section of the traversing mechanism together with the mechanism provided for raising and lowering the iron; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional elevation taken on line VI--VI of Fig. 5 showing the shaft which is connected with the driving motor (not shown), and the means adopted for driving the raising and lowering mechanism and the traversing mechanism;

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional detail showing a shipper shaft used for engaging the raising and lowering clutch either by means of a push knob on the front of the machine or a push rod located at the back of the machine and connected with a treadle;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of the carriage moving mechanism shown in the lower part of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 shows an arrangementof levers forming part of the starting and stopping mechanism which controls the travel of the carriage, and also other levers having to do with raising and lowering the iron on the carriage;

Fig, 10 is a front view of a clutch lever for engaging the raising and lowering clutch;

shipper mechanism shown in Fig. '7;

Figs. 14 and 15 are enlarged views of means employed in the operation of the traversing clutches (shown in Fig. 8).

Fig. 16 is a plan of a moving table or carriage for carrying the work underneath the iron;

. Fig. 17 is a sectional side view of an endless conveyor band for intermittently moving the work transversely to the path of movement of the iron in stages equivalent to the width of the iron;

Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of one mechanism for operating the band; and 1 Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively an end View and a sectional elevation of another mechanism for the same purpose.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, which is specially intended for ironing leather, there is provided, for carrying an iron I (Figs. 1, Z and 3) .a carriage 2 consisting of a casting havlng flanges 3 machined on the inside to provide smooth surfaces. This carriage is mounted upon a guideway 4 rigidly fixed upon frame members 5 of the machineso that, as viewed in Fig. 1, the iron can be traversed from left to right and vice versa. This carriage 2 constitutes a housing for the traversing mechanism, and for mechanism employed to raise and lower the iron at the end of its travel in one direction and as it commences to travel in the reverse direction, as will be hereinafter described. The guideway 4 has upper and lower flanges 6 which are likewise machined to receive the carriage 2 which is maintained in position and guided in its reciprocatory movement on the guideway 4 by strips 1 fixed to the carriage by bolts or in any suitable conventional manner. An electric motor 8 is also mounted vertically upon the saddle or carriage so that its armature shaft extends downwards into the housing part of the carriage 2 for connection directly with the traversing mechanism therein. The carriage is provided at the front with a cover 9 removably secured in any convenient manner so as to provide access to the mechanism contained in the carriage. While, in the illustrated construction, the iron is caused to travel back and forth over a work piece on a stationary work support, the invention is not so restricted since for certain purposes some of the advantageous results may also be secured by a construction wherein the work support moves a work piece back and forth in operative relation to an iron which is stationary or has only an up and down movement.

The iron I is mounted on its carriage 2 by means of a pair of arms l0 pivotally attached to the carriage at H. The iron is actually pivoted upon a pin l2 inserted in a bar l3 which is itself freely mounted at its ends in the arms Hi. The iron can thus tilt about the pin l2 and also about the axis M (Fig. 1) of the bar I3, lugs I5 being provided on the arms Ill to limit the tilting movement. The pin I 2 is made hollow for cooling purposes and the bar I3 is provided with thin ribs or fins for the same reason. This particular arrangement of the iron enables it to rest flat on the ironing table hereinafter described and adjust itself to any inequalities of the work so that all parts of the work are equally treated. The arms In are supported by means of corresponding links l6 which are mounted on crank pins or eccentrics l l at the ends of a shaft I8 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the carriage 2. This is to enable the iron to be raised and lowered as will be hereinafter set forth.

The traverseaof the iron is effected by means of a rack I9 attached to the guideway 4 in a recess therein, and by duplicate pinions 2| mounted respectively on shafts 22 carried in bearings 23 in the carriage 2 .and driven one at a time, by the electric motor 8, in opposite directions through the medium of worm reduction gearing 24, 25 and twin clutches 26 adapted to be automatically engaged alternately. As shown in Fig. 6, the worm 24 of the speed reduction gear is mounted on a vertical shaft 21 mounted, between the pinion shafts 22, in ball bearings in the carriage 2 and furnished with a coupling member 28 for engagement with a complementary part on the motor spindle. The clutches 26 are best shown in Fig. 8 and are conveniently of the cone type, the internal cone 26a, in each case having driven connection with the corresponding pinion shaft and the external cone 26b being formed with or attached to the associated worm wheel 25. The worm wheels 25 are freely mounted on the respective pinion shafts 22 and by reason of meshing with the worm 24 on opposite sides thereof are driven continuously in opposite directions when the motor 8 is operative. As shown in Fig. 8, the worm wheels 25 have relatively long hubs which extend through the bearings 23 and the pinion shafts 22 extend through these hubs. The inner cones 26a of the clutches are connected with the respective shafts 22 by spring or other resilient means for the purpose of absorbing shock when the'clutches are engaged. Conveniently, and as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the connection is obtained by means of two sets of leaf or laminated springs 29 which in each set are attached centrally to opposite sides of a squared part 30 of the corresponding shaft and bear upon projections 3| (Fig. 5) on the associated inner cone 260.

For the purpose of engaging the clutches 26 alternately, there is provided a lever 32 (see Figs. 6 and 9) adapted to be engaged by stops 33, 34 (Fig. l) adjustably mounted in a dovetail groove 4x (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) on the guideway 4 at a prearranged distance apart, and also intermediate mechanism comprising a shaft 35 carrying the lever 32 and rotatably mounted in the carriage 2, a spring controlled toggle device 36, 31 operated by the shaft 35, and a sliding shaft or rod 38 (Fig. 5) operated by toggle member 36 and furnished with means adapted to impart endwise movement to one or the other of the shafts 22 according to the direction of movement of the shaft or rod 38. As clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, all of these intermediate parts are mounted in the carriage 2. The lever 32 is attached to the shaft 35 at one end outside thecarriage but within the recess in the guideway 4. The toggle member 36 is connected with the sliding shaft 38 between the upper end of member 36 and its pivot 46 by means of a pin 4| and a grooved or recessed block 42 secured to the shaft 38. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the other toggle member 31 comprises two parts 31a, 31b slidably engaged with each other andhaving a compression spring 43 between them, and the part 310. has therein a pin 44 with which the toggle member 36 is engaged, for which purpose the said member 36 is I bifurcated at the appropriate end as shown in Fig. 6. The toggle part 315 is positively attached to the shaft 35 and the pivot pin in the outer end of the member 36 is located in the carriage 2. The sliding shaft or rod 38 is furnished with cam plates 45 one of which is clearly shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and each of which is located in a slot 46 in the shaft or rod 38 with its profiled edge opposed to the adjacent end of the corresponding pinion shaft 22. One cam plate is arranged in the opposite manner to the other so that, when the shaft or rod 38 is moved endwise, one plate acts to move the opposing pinion shaft 22 axially against the action of the associated clutch spring 41 (Fig. 8) to engage the clutch parts 26a, 265, while the other cam plate, being oppositely arranged, permits the corresponding clutch shaft 22 to move axially under the action of its associated spring so that the corresponding clutch is disengaged. To enable the shaft or rod 38 to' move easily, a hardened steel ball 48 (Figs. 14 and 15) is inserted between the end of each pinion shaft 22 and the corresponding cam plate 45. For taking up normal wear of the clutches, each cam plate 45 is pivotally mounted in the shaft or rod 38 at 49 and adjusting screws 50 are inserted in the cover 9, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, so as to act upon the outer edges of the cam plates. By turning the screws in the right direction the cam plates are moved inward so that they are always in contact with the balls. As will be seen, the heads of the screws are externally situated so that adjustment of the clutches can be conveniently effected without removal of any parts.

When the machine is in operation, the toggle device is bent in one direction (see Fig. 5) during traverse of the iron I one way, and in the opposite direction during traverse of the iron the other way. The operation'of this clutch mechanism is as follows. When, towards the end of a traversing movement of the carriage 2, the lever 32 comes into contact with the opposing one of the stops 33, 34 the shaft 35 is turned and the toggle 36, 37 is first straightened thereby causing the spring 43 to be compressed, and when the centers 40, 44 and 35 come into a straight line the maximum compression on the spring is reached. The least further movement of the shaft 32 will cause the pivot pin 44 to overrun the dead center of the toggle device, and allow a sudden expansion of the spring 43 whereby the toggle member 36 moves the shaft or rod 38 in a horizontal direction, thus causing the inoperative clutch 26a, 26b to be engaged, and disengaging the previously operative clutch 26a, 26b in the manner already described. This causes the pinion shaft 22 corresponding with the engaged clutch to rotate, so that motion of the carriage 2 is reversed: e. g. the carriage now moves in a lefthand direction until the lever 32 comes in contact with the other stop, that is, the stop on the lefthand side of the machine.

It is of course necessary to provide means for.

holding both of the clutches 26a, 26b in neutral so that the carriage may be stopped with the iron I at or near one end of the table or the other, or, if required, at some intermediate point, for example centrally as will be hereinafter described, while the motor 8 continues to run.

Conveniently}. and forthis purpose,.the lever 32 is formediwith a sectorial'part 32a (Fig. 9): having a. recess or notch 5| therein. A catch or detent 52 is pivotally'mounted at 53on the carriage. 2 adjacent to the lever. 32, said catch or detent being controlled by a spring 54 which tends to urge the catch or detent into the recess or notch 51 when the latter is brought into position to permit this. To prevent the catch or detent from entering the recess or notch 5|, there is provided a bar 55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) pivotally mounted by means of arms 56 within the guideway 4, and connected by intermediate levers 51 and 58 and a link 59 (Fig. 2) with a treadle 60 (see also Fig. 1). When this treadle 50 is depressed the bar 55 is pulled down upon the outer arm of the catch or detent 52 against the action of the spring 54. The treadle 60 is depressed to start the machine and as long as it is held depressed the catch or detent 52 will not enter the recess or notch 5!. Consequently the toggle device will be bent completely first in one direction and'then in the opposite direction as determined bythe. engagement of the lever 32 first with one and then with the other of the stops 33, 34, thereby causing the carriage 2 to be traversed to and fro along the slide 4 until the treadle is released. When the treadle is released and the lever 32 next comes into contact with the stop 33 or 34 as the case may be, the lever 32 is moved until the toggle device is straightened and compresses the spring43 to the maximum extent, whereupon the catch or detent 52 drops into the recess or notch which is of such a width as to enable the momentum inv the carriage to carry the toggle device just over the dead center. Further movement is then prevented by the catch or detent so that the clutch previously operative is disengaged while the other clutch remains in neutral. When the treadle is next depressed the toggle device is again completely bent by the spring 43 under compression as aforesaid, butin the directionopposite to that obtaining previously, so that the opposite clutch is engaged so causing the carriage to move again. As will be understood, by appropriate adjustment of the stops 33, 34 inwards or outwards along the guideway 4, the traversing movement of the carriage can be correspondingly varied exactly to suit the requirements of pieces of. work of different lengths or widths so that time can be saved in. dealing with small skins.

In addition to the stops 33, 34 there is a hinged stop 61 (Fig. 1) in the middle of the machine which is operated by the pivoted bar 55. When the treadle 60 is released as the iron I is approaching the middle of the machine, the said bar 55 brings the hinged stop 6| into action by lifting it up to the position shown in Fig. 3, where the lever 32 will come into contact with the stop 6! thereby turning the lever until the recess or notch 5| therein is entered by the catch or detent 52. Then, by reason of the action already described, the carriage 2 stops right in the center of the machine in which position the machine can be used for hot iron pressing when desired.

During the traverse movement of the carriage, raising and lowering of the iron I is caused by two pairs of trip members 62, 63 and 64, 65 (Fig. 1) adjustably fixed in the dovetail groove 40: in the guideway 4, or by means of a push rod 66 (Fig. 7), whereby when the carriage is stopped in the middle of the machine the iron I can be raised or lowered by means of a treadle 61 (Fig. 1), as will be presently described.

The iron I is raised and lowered by means of a half cycle clutch mechanism now to be described. This clutch mechanism isarranged within the carriage 2 and is driven from the same shaft 21 as the traversing mechanism (Fig. 8) through the medium of 'reduction gearing conveniently comprising a worm 68 (Fig. 6) on the said shaft and a Worm wheel 69 (Figs. 5 and 6) freely mounted on the horizontal crank shaft l8. The

clutch mechanism is arranged so that the crank shaft after being put into action is stopped either at the upper or the lower dead center, i. e. with the iron I completely raised or fully lowered for intervals depending upon the distances between the trip members. To this end, there is provided a stop lever 10 (Figs. 4, 5, l and 11) positively attached to a clutch shaft ll mounted on the carriage 2, a stop disc 12 keyed to the shaft l8 for sliding movement thereon and furnished with diametrically opposite peripheral gaps such as 13, Fig. 4, and also a clutch lever 14 freely mounted on the shaft H. As clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the levers 1E) and 14 are operatively connected through'an interposed compression spring '55 on the one hand and an adjusting screw 16 in the lever T9 on the other hand. The adjusting screw l6 serves to determine the relative positions of the two levers on the shaft H. Conveniently a clutch T! (Fig. of the dog or claw type is provided although one of any other suitable type may be adopted. In the example shown, there is a tooth or teeth on the stop disc 12 and a similar tooth or similar teeth on the worm wheel 69. A clutch fork or yoke l8 (Fig. is attached to the lever 14 for engagement with a grooved part 12a (Fig. 5) of the hub of the stop disc 12. .On the outer end of the shaft H adjacent to the guideway 4 is secured a lever comprising integral arms !9 and 85 (Figs. 4 and 9) integrally formed, or similar separate arms positively connected, and a compression spring 8| is provided between the arm 80 and an opposing lug 82 on the carriage 2. The'arm 19 is fitted with a roller 83 for contact selectively with the trip members 62, 63, G4, 65 (Fig. 1) at appropriate times. Normally the clutch 11 on shaft l8 (Fig. 5) is disengaged by the spring 8| (Fig. 9) acting through the aforesaid intermediate connections with the stop lever in one or the other of the gaps 13 in stop. disc 12. With this arrangement, when the iron I is traversed (in the lowered position) in one direction or the other, the roller 83 (Fig. 4) meets the inner one of the opposing pair of trip members e. g. 62, 63 (Fig. l), and then the other as the carriage approaches the end of its stroke. The trip members are each pivctally mounted on the supporting guideway 4 and are weighted (or they may be spring controlled) so as to be maintained in the erect positions shown in Fig. 1, in which the lower edges of the trip members rest on a suitable abutment. It will be observed that the members of each pair are oppositely arranged When the roller 83' (Fig. 4) engages the inner member, e. g. 63, in the movement of carriage 2 towards the left in Fig. 1, this tilts or yields to allow the roller to passgover it Without affecting the clutch. .The outer member, however, e. g. 62, offers resistance to the roller-and consequently the arms 79 and 80 (Fig. 4) are turned against the action of the spring 8! to engage the clutch T! (Fig. 5) which operation als'otakes the stop lever 10 out of the gap in the stop disc 12 and compresses the spring 15 (Fig. 11). The crank shaft l8 (Fig. 5) is thus set in motion for half a revolution and accordingly operates through the links. l6 (Figs. 1 and pressure exerted by the springs.

5) and arms I9 (Figs. 1 and. 2) to raise the iron I, at or about which time the motion of the carriage is reversed in the manner hereinbefore described. The roller 83 (Fig. 3) passes from contactwith the trip member 62 almost as soon as the clutch TI is engaged but the clutch is held engaged by thestop lever I9 (Figs. 4 and 5) riding uponthe ungapped portion of the stop disc I2. When, however, the opposite gap comes under the stop lever 19, the spring I5 (Fig. 11) expands so that the lever I9 enters the gap and the spring BI (Fig. 9) is permitted to function to disengage the clutch 11 once more so that the iron I remains in the raised position. On the reverse travel of the iron I, the first trip member, e. g. 62 (Fig. 1), tilts or yields when met by the roller 83 on carriage 2, but after a short interval is met with resistance by the second trip member, e. g. 63, whereupon the clutch mechanism 11 is again operated in the manner described to lower the iron I which, since the crankshaft I8 makes only half a revolution, now remains in the lowered position until the roller 83 is engaged by the outer one, e. g. 65, of the opposite pair of trip members (Fig. 1) whereupon the cycle of operations is repeated. As will be readily understood, in order to vary the length of the stroke of the iron I to suit pieces of work of different sizes, the stops 33 and 34 (Fig. 1) are adjusted to appropriate positions along the slide and the trip members 62, 63 and 64, 65 are correspondingly adjusted so that the iron is raised and lowered at appropriate times. The illustrated machine is designed for ironing calf skins of medium size and by suitable adjustment of the aforesaid stops and trip members can also be used for sheep skins and goat sklns. For longer work a machine with a longer stroke would probably be desirable.

The machine is provided with a table 84, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, having thereon a resilient ironing sheet or blanket 85. Further, the table is supported on compression springs 86 in turn supported by screw-threaded members 8'! to vary the The table is capable of rocking on pivots 88 inserted in brackets 89 under the table. Each pivot 88 is also carried by an eye bolt 99 slidably mounted in bracket 9I attached to the frame member 5. The springs are prevented from expanding fully by lock nuts 92 on the screw-threaded members 81 which extend through the springs 86 and are attached to the table 84. When the iron is lowered on to the table 84, the latter is pressed down against the action of the springs 86, since the members 81 are pushed down in their supporting brackets 92. Moreover, the table 84, by reason of its ability to rock, automatically adjusts itself to the iron I for the purpose of equalizing the pressure irrespective of the substance, or the variation of substance of the material. With the table 84 in this condition, pressure is applied yieldingly to the work, but it is possible to give greater and harder pressure by means of a treadle 93 (Fig. 1) and intermediate connections, comprising a connecting rod 94, toggle levers 95 and bell crank levers 96. These bell crank levers 96 are carried in brackets 9'? on the inside of the frame members 8. The brackets are provided with vertical adjustment indicated at 98 for the purpose of obtaining an accurate adjustment between the bell crank levers and pressure pads 99 secured to the lower surface of the table. When the treadle 93 is depressed, the toggle levers 95 are straightened, and the bell crank levers 96 are pressed against the pads 99 thus causing the table 84 to be pressed hard against the iron.

This heavy-duty pressure applying device, obtained by the co-operation of table and treadle mechanism, obviates the use of a second machine usually necessary for efiacing heavy growth marks, or wrinkles, from the necks of skins. In other words, it enables this work to be done on the same machine without removal of the skin from the table.

Referring again to the treadle 69, means may be provided for the purpose of keeping this treadle in a depressed position after operation, thereby enabling the operator to remove his foot from the treadle 69 for the purpose of depressing the treadle 93 in order to increase the pressure on the work while the iron is moving to and fro. Conveniently, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a catch I44 operable by a treadle I and loaded by means of a weight I46 is provided for engagement with a projection M1 on the treadle 69 when the latter is depressed as represented by dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. To release the treadle 69, the operator depresses the treadle I45 so as to disengage the catch from the projection I4I. As will be understood, the catch I44 is arranged so that it engages the projection I4I automatically under the influence of the weight I46 when the treadle 69 is depressed. The catch I44 and treadle I45 are pivotally mounted on a shaft I48 mounted in the frame member 5 adjacent to the treadle 69.

Referring to Fig. 1, the path normally followed by the iron is indicated by a series of arrows I99, I9 I. The characteristic of this movement is that, as the iron passes over the edge of the material at, or substantially at, the end of one stroke and during its reversing action, it is raised from the operative position, then travels a short distance in the reverse direction still in the raised position, and is then lowered again so that it presses on the work substantially from the edge thereof and continues its travel until it is right over the opposite edge of the material, when the iron is lifted up again and reverses, travels a short distance in the raised position, and then is brought down on the material to make a stroke in the opposite direction. The iron presses upon the work to an extent dependent upon the adjustment and compression of the springs 86. The material can be moved at the end of each stroke, i. e. while the iron is held raised, and the iron can be stopped at the end of each stroke by simply releasing the treadle 69.

To enable the iron to be raised at any point during its travel along the guideway, the push rod 66 (Fig. '7) is furnished with a cam element or dog I92 for action upon a roller I93 (Figs. 5, 7, 10 and 11) on the stop lever I9. The push rod 66 is slidably mounted in the carriage 2 in which it is normally held in a neutral position by means of compression springs I94, I94a each located between a collar or sleeve I95 on the rod and the opposing wall of the carriage. A knob I96 is provided on the rod 66 for the operators use. When the rod is pushed inwardsthereby compressing the spring I94-'-the cam element or dog.

in Fig. 7. If and when the operator desires to lower the iron before it reaches the end of a stroke, he again operates the rod '66.

' The operator may use the treadle 67 for raising and lowering the iron! when the latter is stopped in'the middle of the path of travel of the carriage 2, in which case he has both hands free. For this purpose the treadle 61 is connected with a plunger "I01 (Fig. 2), mounted in the guideway 4, by means of a bell crank lever I98, pivoted at 39 on the gui'deway, and a link i ill. The plunger lei is so located in the guideway that it is opposed by the push rod 66 only when the iron I is stopped as aforesaid. Consequently when the treadle 61 is depressed, the plunger I67 is pushed into contact with the push rod 65 which is thereupon moved endwise against the action of the spring ltl la (Fig. 7). The push rod 66 has on it another cam element or dog IilZa, disposed on the opposite side of the roller I03 from the element or dog I62, so that when the treadle 6'! is depressed the element or dog I 02a acts upon the roller IE3 with results the like of those already described in connection with pus h rod 66. From this it will be perceived that it is possible to raise 'or lower the iron I at anytime during the travel of the carriage 2 by means of the'push rod 66. The plunger IE1 is only able to effect the raising and lowering movement of the iron when the latter is stopped definitely in the center of the machine for pressing only.

Further provision is made so that if it is desired just slightly to move the iron forth and back on the work piece on the table, at a distance less than that which is controlled by the stops 33, 34, this can be accomplished by means of a hand lever III (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6). This lever is freely mounted on the frontend of the shaft 35 but operates through an arm H2 which is positively attached to the shaft and has thereon lugs H3 (Fig. d) between which the hand lever is located. The hand lever III is provided with a spring poppet at H4, which engages the cover memberil of the carriage 2 so that it always remains in a vertical position, and does not participate in the rocking movement of the shaft 35 when the carriage is reversed at the ends of its strokes. By means of the lever IIlit is possible to arrest and then reverse the motion 'of the iron at any desired moment so that a movement of any length required by the operator, e. g. a slight to and fro movement, can be obtained. As will be understood, when the lever is moved in one direction or the other it acts through the opposing lug II3 to turn the arm I I2 and consequently the shaft 35 with effects the like of those achieved by the stops 33, 34. v

The treadles B0, 67 and 93 are freely mounted on a shaft or rod 60a fixed in the frame members of the machine. a

In this particular example of the invention the iron is heated by electrical elements (not shown) of any suitable conventional character. For this purpose the iron I conveniently comprises a sole plate Ia, to which the heating elements are attached, and a cover Ib preferably of aluminium. The heating'elements are covered by a sheet of asbestos (not shown) as an insulating medium and the cover is provided with slots or other openings (not shown) for the purpose of causing air currents to pass through the cover so as to prevent undue rise of temperature within it. This construction reduces heat radiation and isolates the sole plate from the carriage.

Since the iron I reciprocates during ironing arcane nected direct to the motor and is P o ed W t an over-load release and a no voltage release (not shown). The pick up I I1 serves to transmit the current to the heating elements of the iron,

I and is connected with a terminal box (not shown) fitted with a multiple contact switch (not shown). Conveniently there are four electric elements, two large and two small, in the iron. The electrical connections are such that these elements are switched on and off in pairs i. e. in such a manner that the two large elements or the two small elements or all four elements can be switched on together. The switch is therefore adapted to have an off position and three on positions. The electric current from the switch passes through an automatically operated thermostat of any conventional type which is controlled by the temperature of the iron, and switches the current on and off for the purpose of maintaining the desired temperature. A pilot light (not shown) is also incorporated with the switch so as to light up when the current is switched on. When the thermostat switches the current off the pilot light is extinguished. The

bus bars and electrical sliding contacts are enclosed as a measure of safety by a guard II8 (Fig. 2). The aforesaid arrangement of the heating elements enables considerable heat to be applied to the iron I for the purpose of rapidly heating it'up initially, i. e., from a cold condition, by switching on the four elements and, when the required temperature has been reached, the switch can be operated so as to cut out either pair of heating elements whereafter the temperature is automatically controlled by the thermostat.

Concerning the heat treatment of the leather, the temperature to which the leather can be heated without detrimentally affecting it varies according to the nature of the tannage. For example, chrome tanned leather and leather tanned with a synthetic tannage'will withstand a relatively high temperature without detrimental efie'cts, whereas leather tanned with a vegetable tannage or alum requires a relatively low temperature. For this reason it is desirable that the temperature should be subject to variation over a relatively wide range, that is to say', the margin between the minimum temperature necessary to achieve the desired results and maximum safe temperature may be relatively wide. For instance the minimum may be in the region of 150 F. and the maximum may be in the neighborhood of 350 F. It is therefore preferable to make provision for varying the temperature to suit requirements and this is preferably effected in the manner aforesaid.

The table 84 which is covered by the ironing blanket 85 is normally unheated as it receives suflicient heat from the iron through the ironing blanket, but wherever found necessary it is possible to heat the table in a manner similar to that adopted for the iron.

The preferred construction of the table is that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

The blanket 85 which, as before stated, is of a resilient character, may be held in a tensioned condition by means, such as those shown in Fig. 1, consisting of a belt II9 connected to one end of the blanket and slidable through a bracket I attached to the table underneath, with a compression spring I2I between the bracket and locknuts I22 on bolts secured to the adjacent end of the belt I I9.

When desired, modifications can be made in this arrangement, as shown in Fig. 17, which indicates an endless conveyor band I23 stretched over the table 84 transversely thereof. This conveyor band is provided with an automatic mechanism which may be of any suitable character and moves the band toward the front of the machine in steps equivalent to the width of the iron or other tool or tools. Further, when desired, it is possible to space the side frames of the machine sufficiently far apart to allow a carriage I24 with a table I24a on which the skin is supported to be moved horizontally through the machine as represented in Fig. 16. As will be understood, the purpose of these arrangements is to enable the work to be moved so as to enable different parts thereof to be operated upon. When no such provision is made the work is moved suitably by the operator.

Reverting to the conveyor band I23, one arrangement for driving this is shown in Figs. 17 and 18 and comprises an electric motor I29, reduction gearing I30, I3I, a clutch I32, a single cycle motion I33 and chain and sprocket gearing I34. The mechanism is set in motion by means of a treadle (not shown) with which is connected a rod I35 adapted to enter a notch I36 in the aforesaid single cycle motion. When the treadle is depressed the rod I 35 is withdrawn from the notch I36 and the clutch I32 is engaged so that the band I23 is driven from the motor which runs continuously when the machine is in use. After starting the band I23, the operator releases the treadle so that as soon as the notch I36 comes round to the rod the clutch is disengaged and the band is stopped. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 19 and 20, a ratchet mechanism I31 is associated with chain and sprocket gearing I38 and connected by a lever I39 with a treadle (not shown). This arrangement is designed to impart the required amount of movement to the band at each depression of the treadle. As shown in Fig. 17, the chain and sprocket gearing is connected with rollers I40 which support the band and are suitably mounted in the frame members 5 of the machine. Another roller MI is provided for applying suitable tension to the band. Referring to Fig. 18, the gear I3I, clutch I32, single cycle motion I33 and one of the sprockets are mounted on a shaft I42, rotatably mounted in one of the frame members 5. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the ratchet mechanism I31 and one of the chain sprockets are mounted on a shaft I43 rotatably mounted in one of the frame members 5.

The carriage 2 being hollow may serve as a receptacle for oil for lubricating the mechanism within the carriage. Referring to Fig. 6, there may be provided on the lower end of the shaft 21 a screw thread I25 working in a housing I26. This screw thread constitutes a screw pump and pumps the oil up from the lower part of the carriage to a chamber I21 provided in the top part of the carriage as shown to a height level with the top of the bearing I28 for the purpose of lubricating the whole of the aforesaid mechanism automatically and continuously. The oil chamber I 21 is provided with a number of small oil pipes (not shown) leading to various bearings. The surplus oil which is pumped in to the oil chamber I2'I runs down through the bearing I28 and lubricates the driving shaft 21 together with the associated worms and wormwheels. The surplus oil runs back into the lower part of the carriage.

In operating the machine disclosed in the drawings, a piece of leather such as a tanned calf skin is placed upon the table 84 while the iron I with its carriage 2 is located at either one end or the other of the guideway 4, the iron being in raised position with respect tothe table 84. Upon depressing the treadle 60, the iron moves in a direction toward the center of the table while in spaced relation to the table. That is, it moves along a path indicated by the arrows in the up per part of the loop at I00 or IOI in Fig. 1. This arrangement and mode of operation of the iron is to bring it in contact with the piece of leather over the margin of the latter, it being obvious that, if the iron descended into contact with the table before it started moving toward the center of the table, the work piece would be displaced through engagement of the iron with the edge of the work. Having descended upon the piece of leather, preferably in overlapping relation to the margin thereof, the iron moves clear across the work piece until the carriage reaches the other end of the guideway. During the latter part of this movement the iron is lifted from the work support and is reversed and is then started back again in spaced relation to the work'support to descend upon the work piece with the iron overlapping the margin thereof. So long as the treadle 60 is held depressed the iron I travels back and forth along the length of the work support 34, it being understood that the work piece is .shifted between each lengthwise movement of the iron so that the work piece is progressively treated. This shifting of the work piece is such that the paths of the iron on the surface of the work overlap somewhat to insure that all portions of l the work piece will be ironed. This shifting of the work piece may be accomplished either by hand or automatically in a step-by-step manner by the means disclosed herein. In order that the operator may not need to exercise the effort necessary to keep the treadle 60 depressed, the latch member I45 is provided to lock the treadle 60 in its depressed position, this arrangement enabling the operator to apply increased pressure on the work by depressing the treadle 93, which lifts the work support by the toggle mechanism comprising the members 95, 96, 91 and 99 (Fig. 1).

If the operator wishes to iron a given portion of the work piece repeatedly he may do so by manipulating the lever III (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) first in one direction and then in another to cause the iron I to move first in one direction and then another in short ironing strokes to treat a relatively localized portion of the work piece. This manipulation of the lever II I may take place at any time in the movement of the carriage 2.

If desired, the iron I may be used in pressing operations upon a piece of leather while the iron is stopped at the middle of the guideway by the stop BI (Figs. 1 and 3), said stop GI being moved to operative position upon release of the treadle 60. While the carriage is thus located, the iron may be raised and lowered through proper manipulation of the rod 66, I05 (Fig. 7) either by the kn bltlli or by the treadle 61 and the knob 186 used alternately. When the iron is in lowered position, the workpiece may be pressed more firmly .against the iron in a pressing operation by means .of the treadle 93.

In. order to suit the machine to pieces of work varying in width and length dimensions, the controlling or stop members 33, 34 which determine the length of the path of the iron may be adjusted in the slots 4x inthe guideway 4. At the same time the trip members 62, 63 at one end of the guideway 4 and the trip members 64, 65 adjacent the other endof the guideway 4 are also adjusted to insure that the iron will be lifted from the workv support after having passed off the edge of the work piece and advanced to a position over the edge of the work piece before being lowered into contact with the work piece. Although the stops 33 and 34 co-operate with other mechanism to limit the travel of the iron and its carriage in each direction, this being accomplished automatically, as herein described, it is possible for the operator to stop the carriage 2 and reverse its direction of movement at any point before the ends of theguicleway 4 simply by operating the lever H! as above described. The machine is stopped by releasing the treadle 69 as the carriage is approaching either end of the guideway 4, the iron being left in raised position away from the Work piece. Since it will not do to permit the hot iron I to remain stationary in contact with the work piece, should the carriage 2 be stopped in the middle of the machine by the stop 6!, the operator promptly effects lifting of the iron by opearting the rod '66, I (Fig. 7) through the knob N36 or by depressing the treadle 61.

While the machine described is intended chiefly for ironing it will be understood that it can also be used for other operations on leather and other pieces of work in which a reciprocating movement of a tool or tools is required. For instance it is possible to replace the iron by one or more rollers for the purpose of obtaining a rolling operatino. Further, it may be desirable to use a setting tool in place of the iron. Also it is possible to employ a brush which may be adapted to revolve and maybe driven at a suitable speed for performing brushing operations.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides or skins, a work support, a tool, a'carriage supporting the tool, means for causing the carriage and the tool supported thereby to move first in one direction and then in another while operating on'a work piece on the surface of the work support, means for automatically reversing the direction of travel of the tool at each end of its path of travel, power means mounted on the carriage to effect relative separating and approaching movements of the tool and work support, and means mounted adjacent each end of the path of travel of the tool to initiate operation of said power means to cause a separating and then an approaching movement of the tool and work support relatively to each other, the separation of the tool and work support continuing while the tool is moving toward the center of the machine for a substantial distance after its reversal of direction so that the tool may engage the work piece in overlapping relation to the edge thereof when the tool and work support again come into, co-operative relation fortreatment of, the work piece during movement ofthe tool toward-the center of the machine.

2. In a machine ,for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting thetool, means for causing the carriage and thetool supported thereby .to movefirstin one direction and then in another While the tool is operating on a work piece on the surface of the work support and for effecting automatic reversal of their direction of movement, other means mounted in the carriage for lifting andlowering the tool with respect. to the surface ofthe work support, and a manually operable member also mounted on the carriage to control movements of the carriage over thesurface of the work piece on the worksupport.

3. In a machine ,for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, .a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, means for causing the carriage and the tool supported thereby to move first in one direction and then in another while the tool is operatingon a .work piece on the surface of the work support and for effecting automatic reversal of theirdirection of movement, other means mounted in the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the surface of the Work support, and a manually operable member also mounted on the carriage to control the lifting and lowering means for the tool.

4. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanne'd hides or skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, means for causing the carriage and the tool supported thereby to move first in one direction and then in another while the tool is operating on a work piece on the surface of the work support and for effecting automatic reversal of their direction of movement, other means mounted in the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the surface of the work support, and a manually operable member mounted on the carriage to stop and reverse the carriage at any desired point in its movement to cause back and forth movements of the tool while in contact with the work piece on the work support.

5. In a machine for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, power means for moving the carriage along said guideway, stop members at each end of the guideway arranged to co-operate with said power means for automatically reversing the direction of the carriage, and means operating in timed relation to the moving means for the car- 5".

riage to lift the tool away from the work support and to cause it to descend again into co-operative relation to the work support a predetermined interval after reversal of the direction of movement of the carriage and tool.

6. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable over the work support, means mounted on the carriage for moving the latter in opposite directions along said guideway and for automatically reversing the carriage as it approaches each end of the guideway, means automatically operative to raise the tool from the work support at each end of the path of travel of the carriage and to lower the tool again after a predetermined interval into co-operative relation to the work support sothat it may operate on the work piece also during its reverse movement, and means under 15 the control of the operator to cause back and forth movements of the carriage and tool at any desired'point between the ends of the path of normal travel of the tool in treating the work piece;

7. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable over the work support, means for moving the carriage in opposite directions along said guideway and for automatically reversing the carriage as it approaches each end of the guideway, means automatically operative to raise the tool from the work support at each end of the path of travel of the carriage and to lower the tool again after a predetermined interval into co-operative relation to the work support so that it may operate on the work piece also during its reverse movement, and. means mounted on the carriage and under control of the operator to raise and to lower the tool with respect to the work support at any point in the travel of the carriage along said guideway.

8. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable over the work support, means for moving the carriage along said guideway, stop members adjacent each end of the guideway for oo-operation with said means to cause reversal of the direction of movement of the carriage, means carried by the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the work support, and trip members arranged to co-operate with said lifting and lowering means to effect lifting of the tool away from the work support in the first part of the reverse movement of the carriage at each end of the guideway and subsequently to lower the tool again into co-operative relation to the work support so as to effect treatment of the work piece while the tool is moving alternately in opposite direction over the work piece.

9. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable over the work support, means for moving the carriage along said guideway, stop members adja cent each end of the guideway for co-operation with said means to cause reversal of the direction of movement of the carriage, means carried by the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the work support, trip members arranged to co-operate with said lifting and lowering means to effect lifting of the tool away from the work support in the first part of the reverse movement of the carriage at each end of the guideway and. subsequently to lower the tool again into co-operative relation to the work support so as to effect treatment of the Work piece while the tool is moving alternately in opposite direction over the work piece, and a stop member at the middle of the machine under control of the operator to stop the carriage and tool at the middle of the machine.

10. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool,

means for moving the carriage along said guideway, stop members adjacent each end of the guideway for co-operation with said means to cause reversal of the direction of movement of the carriage, means carried by the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the work support, trip members arranged to co-operate with said lifting and lowering means to effect lifting of the tool away from the Work support in the first part of the reverse movement of the carriage at each end of the guideway and subsequently to lower the tool again into co-operative relation to the work support so as to effect treatment of the work piece while the'tool is moving alternately in opposite direction over the work piece, a stop member at the middle of the machine under control of the operator to stop the carriage and tool at the middle of the machine, and means for effecting lifting of the tool while the carriage is in position at the middle of the machine.

11. In a machine for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, means for moving the carriage along said guideway, means to cause reversal of the direction of movement of the car riage, means carried by the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the work support, trip members arranged to oo-operate with said lifting and lowering means to effect lifting of the tool away from the work support in the first part of the reverse movement of the carriage at each end of the guideway and subsequently lowering of the tool to effect treatment of the work piece also while the tool is moving in the reverse direction, and a stop member at the middle of the machine and under control of the operator to stop the carriage at the middle of the machine.

12. In a machine for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, means for moving the carriage along said guideway, means to cause reversal of the direction of movement of the carriage, means carried by the carriage for lifting and lowering the tool with respect to the work support, trip members arranged to cooperate with said lifting and lowering means to effect lifting of the tool away from the work support in the first part of the reverse movement of the carriage at each end of the guideway and subsequently lowering of the tool to effect treatment of the work piece also while the tool is moving in the reverse direction, a stop member at the middle of the machine and under control of the operator to stop the carriage at the middle of the machine, and treadle controlled means for eifeoting lifting of the tool while the carriage is in position at the middle of the machine.

13. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, means for effecting movement of the carriage in opposite direction lengthwise of said guideway, said means comprising a pair of shafts journaled in said carriage, a clutch on each shaft arranged to drive the two shafts alternately in opposite directions, whereby the carriage may be moved in either of two directions along said guideway, and means automatically operative to change from one of said shafts to the other as the carriage approaches either end of the guideway.

14. In a machine for performing finishing op erations upon tanned hides and skins, a work sup port, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, means for effecting movement of the carriage in opposite 75 direction lengthwise of said guideway, said means comprising a pair of shafts journaled in said carriage, a clutch on each shaft arranged to drive the two shafts alternately in opposite directions, whereby the carriage may be moved in either of two directions along said guideway, means automatically operative to change from one of said shafts to the other as the carriage approaches either end of the guideway, and a manually operable member, mounted on the carriage to enable the operator to reverse the movement of the carriage at any point in its path of travel along said guideway, whereby the tool may be made to move back and forth over the surface of the work to treat the same in any desired position.

15. In a machine for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, means for moving the carriage in opposite directions along said guideway, means comprising a shaft mounted in the carriage to lift and to lower said tool with respect to said work support, a clutch to control said shaft, a stop member operative to stop the rotation of said shaft at each half revolution thereof, whereby the tool is held in. its lifted or its lowered position, and means at each end of the guideway to effect operation of said shaft through a half revolution to lift the tool and subsequently through another half revolution to lower the tool.

16. In a machine for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, means for moving the carriage in opposite directions along said guideway, means comprising a shaft mounted in the carriage to lift and to lower said tool with respect to said work support, a clutch to control said shaft, a stop member operative to stop the rotation of said shaft at each half revolution thereof, whereby the tool is held in its lifted or its lowered position, means at each end of the guideway to effect operation of said shaft through a half revolution to lift the tool and subsequently through another half revolution to lower the tool, and a manually operable member to operate said shaft at any point intermediate the ends of the guideway.

1'7. In a machine for performing operations upon sheet material, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, means for moving the carriage in opposite directions along said guideway, means comprising a shaft mounted in the carriage to lift and to lower said tool with respect to said work support, a clutch to control said shaft, a stop member operative to stop the rotation of said shaft at each half revolution, thereof, whereby the tool is held in its lifted or its lowered position, and means at each end of the guideway under control of the operator to effect operation of said shaft through a half revolution to lift said tool away from the work support and hold it there.

18. In a machine for performing finishing opalong said guideway, means comprising a shaftjournaled in said carriage and operative to lift and to lower the tool on said carriage, a clutch to control said shaft, a stop member operative to stop the rotation of said shaft at each half revolution thereof, whereby the tool is held in its lifted or its lowered position, means at each end of the guideway to effect operation of said shaft through a half revolution to lift said tool and subsequently through another half revolution to lower said tool, and treadle operated means to initiate operation of said shaft when the carriage has been stopped at the middle of its path along said guideway.

19. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, means for moving the carriage in opposite directions along said guideway, means comprising a shaft journaled in said carriage and operative to lift and to lower the tool on said carriage, a clutch to control said shaft, a stop member operative to stop the rotation of said shaft at each half revolution thereof, whereby the tool is held in its lifted or its lowered position, means at each end of the guideway to effect operation of said shaft through a half revolution to lift said tool and subsequently through another half revolution to lower said tool, a manually operable member to initiate operation of said shaft at any point intermediate the ends of the guideway, and treadle operated means to initiate operation of said shaft when the carriage has been stopped at the middle of its path along said guideway.

20. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides and skins, a work support, a tool, a carriage supporting the tool, a guideway along which the carriage is movable in parallel relation to the work support, power means for moving the carriage along said guideway, said power means comprising two shafts and two clutches all carried by said carriage, means for automatically reversing the direction of the carriage as the latter approaches each end of the guideway, means operating in timed relation to said reversing means for the carriage to lift the tool in a direction away from the work support and to cause it to descend again into cooperative relation to the work support a predetermined interval after reversal of the direction of movement of the carriage and tool, whereby the tool will engage a work piece in overlapping relation to a margin thereof in the movement of the tool over the surface of the work piece toward a central portion thereof, and a treadle member having connections to control said clutches to initiate and to terminate movements of said carriage along said guideway.

21. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides or skins, a work.

support, a smoothing iron, a carriage supporting the iron, means for causing the carriage and the iron supported thereby to move first in one direction and then in another while operating on a work piece on the surface of the work support, said means being mounted in the carriage, other means mounted in the carriage for lifting and lowering the iron with respect to the surface of the work support, stop members at each end of the machine arranged to co-operate with said carriage-moving means to limit the movement of the iron in each direction and to cause reversal of such movement, and a pair of spaced trip members adjacent to the stop members at each end of the machine to co-operate with the iron lifting and lowering means to effect lifting of the iron at the end of its travel in 75 either direction and subsequently to effect lowering of the iron upon the work piece on the work support after the iron starts its movement toward the center of the machine.

22. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides or skins, a work support, an ironing tool, a carriage for the iron, means for causing relative movement of the iron and work support first in one direction and. then in another while in co-operative relation to each other whereby a work piece on the surface of the work support is subjected to an ironing operation, means mounted in the carriage for raising and lowering the iron with respect to the surface of the work support, stop members at each end of the machine to limit the relative traveling movement of the iron and work support in each direction and to cause reversal of such movement, and means operating in cooperation with said c-arriage means and in timed relation to such relative movement of the iron and work support to effect lifting of the iron away from the work support and subsequently to effect lowering of the iron upon the work piece on the work support a substantial interval after initiation of such relative movement of the iron and work support'in another direction.

23. In a machine for performing finishing operations upon tanned hides or skins, a work support, an ironing tool, means for causing relative movement of the iron and work support first in one direction and then in another while in cooperative relation to each other whereby a work piece on the surface of the work support is subjected to treatment by said tool, stop members at each end of the machine to limit the relative traveling movement of the iron and work support in each direction and to cause reversal of such movement, and means operating in timed relation to such relative traveling movement of the iron and work support to effect relative separating movement of the work support and iron at the end of such relative travel of iron and work support in either direction and subsequently to effect relative approaching movement of the iron and work support into co-operative relation a substantial interval after initiation of such relative traveling movement of the iron and work support in another direction.

GUSTAV A. SCHE'I'I'LER. 

